Abstract: A digital camera has a live-view image shooting mode in which a process of shooting a subject, generating image data from imaging signals acquired by the shooting, and displaying a live-view image based on the image data on a display section is repeatedly performed. The digital camera includes a solid-state imaging device 5 that shoots the subject, a live-view processing section 26 and a display control section 22. The live-view processing section 26 performs different image processings for imaging signals of two groups to generate two pieces of image data. The imaging signals of the two groups are obtained when imaging signals, which are output from the solid-state imaging device 5 in single shooting in the live-view image shooting mode, are divided into the two groups. The display controller displays, on the display section, a screen which includes two live-view images based on the two pieces of image data.

Abstract: The image capturing apparatus includes: a taking optical system which includes a focusing lens; an imaging unit which receives a subject light through the taking optical system and converts the subject light to image data representing frame images; a face detection unit which detects a face region of a person in a first frame image that is one of the frame images sequentially supplied by the imaging unit; a face detection setting unit which sets, for the face detection unit, a position and a size of a face region detection area in a second frame image supplied after the first frame image by the imaging unit, in accordance with a position and a size of the face region detected by the face detection unit in the first frame image; a focus region defining unit which defines, in accordance with a position and a size of the face region detected by the face detection unit in the second frame image, a focus evaluation value calculation region in a third frame image supplied after the second frame image by the imaging

Abstract: A digital camera has a live-view image shooting mode in which a process of shooting a subject, generating image data from imaging signals acquired by the shooting, and displaying a live-view image based on the image data on a display section is repeatedly performed. The digital camera includes a solid-state imaging device 5 that shoots the subject, a live-view processing section 26 and a display control section 22. The live-view processing section 26 performs different image processings for imaging signals of two groups to generate two pieces of image data. The imaging signals of the two groups are obtained when imaging signals, which are output from the solid-state imaging device 5 in single shooting in the live-view image shooting mode, are divided into the two groups. The display controller displays, on the display section, a screen which includes two live-view images based on the two pieces of image data.

Abstract: A shading compensation device which compensates for shading which differs for respective colors. A pixel counter counts co-ordinate positions of image data which is supplied from a black level correction section. A relative position calculation section compares the image data with compensation value tables and calculates relative co-ordinate positions of pixels which are objects of processing. A compensation value interpolation section refers to the compensation value tables, which are stored for the respective colors in a compensation value table memory, and interpolates shading compensation values for the relative co-ordinate positions calculated by the relative position calculation section. A multiplier multiplies the image data which is the objects of processing with the new shading compensation values obtained by the interpolation processing. Thus, shading-compensated image data is generated.

Abstract: An image display apparatus that includes: a display screen having a touch panel function on which an image is displayed with operation buttons superimposed on the image, and a switching detection means for detecting a display switching operation for switching the display of the image from the display screen to an external device. When the display switching operation is detected by the switching detection means, the following is performed: the display of the image on the display screen is terminated and image data for displaying the image with the operation buttons superimposed on the image are outputted to the external device from the output terminal; the position information of a touched position on the display screen is detected; and one of the operation buttons displayed on the external device is selected according to the detected position information.

Abstract: A shading compensation device which compensates for shading which differs for respective colors. A pixel counter counts co-ordinate positions of image data which is supplied from a black level correction section. A relative position calculation section compares the image data with compensation value tables and calculates relative co-ordinate positions of pixels which are objects of processing. A compensation value interpolation section refers to the compensation value tables, which are stored for the respective colors in a compensation value table memory, and interpolates shading compensation values for the relative co-ordinate positions calculated by the relative position calculation section. A multiplier multiplies the image data which is the objects of processing with the new shading compensation values obtained by the interpolation processing. Thus, shading-compensated image data is generated.

Abstract: A digital camera and a image signal generating method capable of generating both an image signal for displaying an object image and additional information on a display component. and an image signal to be supplied to a connected external display device, with a simple configuration. Video additional information data is generated which includes in the period corresponding to the horizontal blanking period of the composite video signal digital data representing additional information to be displayed with the object image on the LCD, and in the period corresponding to the video period of the composite video signal digital data representing the object image. The digital data in the period corresponding to the horizontal blanking period is masked and a horizontal synchronizing signal and color burst are superimposed.

Abstract: A clock signal generating circuit is disclosed. The clock signal generating circuit includes: a reference clock signal generating unit for generating a reference clock signal; a plurality of frequency dividing units for carrying out frequency dividing of the reference clock signal and outputting frequency-divided clock signals; a plurality of frequency division ratio storing units for storing frequency division ratios different from each other for the respective frequency dividing units; and a switching unit for switching, synchronously with the reference clock signal, at least one initial frequency division ratio at the frequency dividing units to the frequency division ratios stored in the corresponding frequency division ratio storing units.

Abstract: The image capturing apparatus includes: a taking optical system which includes a focusing lens; an imaging unit which receives a subject light through the taking optical system and converts the subject light to image data representing frame images; a face detection unit which detects a face region of a person in a first frame image that is one of the frame images sequentially supplied by the imaging unit; a face detection setting unit which sets, for the face detection unit, a position and a size of a face region detection area in a second frame image supplied after the first frame image by the imaging unit, in accordance with a position and a size of the face region detected by the face detection unit in the first frame image; a focus region defining unit which defines, in accordance with a position and a size of the face region detected by the face detection unit in the second frame image, a focus evaluation value calculation region in a third frame image supplied after the second frame image by the imaging

Abstract: The present invention discloses a digital image pickup apparatus. The digital image pickup apparatus reads digital image data from a main memory in a horizontal direction. The digital image pickup apparatus corrects an optical distortion component in the horizontal direction in the digital image data. The digital image pickup apparatus writes the digital image data into the main memory in the horizontal direction, so as to store it without changing the direction. The digital image pickup apparatus further reads the digital image data from the main memory in a vertical direction. The digital image pickup apparatus corrects an optical distortion component in the vertical direction in the digital image data. The digital image pickup apparatus writes the digital image data into the main memory in the vertical direction, so as to store it without changing the direction.

Abstract: An image display apparatus that includes: a display screen having a touch panel function on which an image is displayed with operation buttons superimposed on the image, and a switching detection means for detecting a display switching operation for switching the display of the image from the display screen to an external device. When the display switching operation is detected by the switching detection means, the following is performed: the display of the image on the display screen is terminated and image data for displaying the image with the operation buttons superimposed on the image are outputted to the external device from the output terminal; the position information of a touched position on the display screen is detected; and one of the operation buttons displayed on the external device is selected according to the detected position information.

Abstract: A clock signal generating circuit is disclosed. The clock signal generating circuit includes: a reference clock signal generating unit for generating a reference clock signal; a plurality of frequency dividing units for carrying out frequency dividing of the reference clock signal and outputting frequency-divided clock signals; a plurality of frequency division ratio storing units for storing frequency division ratios different from each other for the respective frequency dividing units; and a switching unit for switching, synchronously with the reference clock signal, at least one initial frequency division ratio at the frequency dividing units to the frequency division ratios stored in the corresponding frequency division ratio storing units.

Abstract: When an nth frame of encoded data is stored in a compressed-data storage area that stores 15 frames of encoded data, a target amount of code of the nth frame is decided so as to become a value that is the result of dividing the residual capacity of an area remaining in the compressed-data storage area by the number of remaining images to be stored in this remaining area. This makes it possible to prevent the target amount of code from becoming very large or very small. Even if there is a change in a photographic scene, therefore, a drastic change in image quality from frame to frame can be prevented.

Abstract: A memory device is so adapted that data processing time is not prolonged even when there is little bus width. A DRAM is connected to first to third buffer circuits by buses, which have a bus width of 128 bits, via a selector. The first to third buffer circuits are connected to a circuit such as a signal processing circuit by buses having a bit width of 32 bits. Since part of the circuitry is connected by buses having a bit width of 32 bits, the wiring is simple. By executing various processing in parallel, it is possible to prevent prolongation of the time required to record image data on a memory card.

Abstract: A shading compensation device which compensates for shading which differs for respective colors. A pixel counter counts co-ordinate positions of image data which is supplied from a black level correction section. A relative position calculation section compares the image data with compensation value tables and calculates relative co-ordinate positions of pixels which are objects of processing. A compensation value interpolation section refers to the compensation value tables, which are stored for the respective colors in a compensation value table memory, and interpolates shading compensation values for the relative co-ordinate positions calculated by the relative position calculation section. A multiplier multiplies the image data which is the objects of processing with the new shading compensation values obtained by the interpolation processing. Thus, shading-compensated image data is generated.

Abstract: A digital camera performs first predetermined image processing on digital image data representing a rectangular primary area in an object image acquired through photographing, and performs second predetermined image processing on digital image data representing secondary areas other than the primary area of the object image. The second image processing has an effect such that a compression rate for the secondary areas becomes higher than a compression rate for the primary area in the digital image data when the digital image data is compressed. After the digital image data subjected to these image processings has been compressed, the digital image data is recorded in a recording medium. In this manner, a data amount of the digital image data recorded through photographing can be effectively reduced.

Abstract: A digital camera and a image signal generating method capable of generating both an image signal for displaying an object image and additional information on a display component. and an image signal to be supplied to a connected external display device, with a simple configuration. Video additional information data is generated which includes in the period corresponding to the horizontal blanking period of the composite video signal digital data representing additional information to be displayed with the object image on the LCD, and in the period corresponding to the video period of the composite video signal digital data representing the object image. The digital data in the period corresponding to the horizontal blanking period is masked and a horizontal synchronizing signal and color burst are superimposed.

Abstract: In a moving image display mode, CPU commands a selector to input an output signal of a frequency divider to a signal processing part as a synchronous signal. In case of a CCD with G-stripe or Bayer arrangement, the frequency divider divides the frequency of a clock by an odd number (for example, 3 or 5) and the frequency-divided clock is inputted to the signal processing part. This thins out the pixels of image data to {1/(an odd number)} and the image data is inputted to the signal processing part without changing the arrangement of the pixels. The inputted image data is processed at the signal processing part, and then is outputted to the liquid crystal monitor, which displays a moving image.

Abstract: A memory device is so adapted that data processing time is not prolonged even when there is little bus width. A DRAM is connected to first to third buffer circuits by buses, which have a bus width of 128 bits, via a selector. The first to third buffer circuits are connected to a circuit such as a signal processing circuit by buses having a bit width of 32 bits. Since part of the circuitry is connected by buses having a bit width of 32 bits, the wiring is simple. By executing various processing in parallel, it is possible to prevent prolongation of the time required to record image data on a memory card.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a digital image pickup apparatus. The digital image pickup apparatus reads digital image data from a main memory in a horizontal direction. The digital image pickup apparatus corrects an optical distortion component in the horizontal direction in the digital image data. The digital image pickup apparatus writes the digital image data into the main memory in the horizontal direction, so as to store it without changing the direction. The digital image pickup apparatus further reads the digital image data from the main memory in a vertical direction. The digital image pickup apparatus corrects an optical distortion component in the vertical direction in the digital image data. The digital image pickup apparatus writes the digital image data into the main memory in the vertical direction, so as to store it without changing the direction.